Who says we can't make a difference?!

[OceanBlue]

Just wanted to gloat a little... remember the 2003 groundfish issue? Remember how many said, 'the government agencies won't listen'?

Well, we won a battle, but there's still the rest of the war to fight - Nearshore management. The good news is that recreational fishers are being recognized as a separate industry from commercials (we used to get all lumped together)

See below:

ODFW Notice
Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Newport, Oregon September 19, 2002

PFMC Adopts 2003 Oregon Recreational Groundfish Fishery Regulations

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), at their September 10 through 13, 2002 meeting, adopted changes to the Oregon ocean recreational groundfish fishery for the 2003 season. These regulations must be confirmed by both the Secretary of Commerce and the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. The PFMC adopted the following regulations:

· The Oregon recreational groundfish fishery will open January 1, 2003 and continue through December 31, 2003. Inseason changes to the regulations may occur if landings exceed preseason expectations.

· The bag limit for lingcod is two fish at a 24-inch minimum length.

· The bag limit for other marine finfish is ten, which excludes salmon, tuna, surfperch, sanddab, lingcod and bait fish (herring, anchovy, smelt and sardine). The bag limit for these excluded species, other than lingcod, remains the same as in 2002 (see 2002 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations). Included in the ten marine fish limit are sublimits of 1 canary rockfish, 1 yelloweye rockfish, and the first Pacific halibut taken 32-inches or longer during authorized seasons.

· The minimum length for cabezon is 15-inches.

· Retention of yelloweye and canary rockfish is prohibited during the all-depth Pacific halibut fishery if halibut are on board the vessel.

Keep the faith folks!